8/18/2007

Breaking Earth NewsPeru, S.A.Photo: Residents embrace each other in front of a house destroyed by the earthquake that shook southern Peru, in Pisco, 17 Aug 2007

The U.S. Geological Survey says another strong aftershock hit Peru Saturday, as relief workers struggle to help the victims of Wednesday's earthquake that left at least 510 people dead.

The magnitude 5.9 aftershock occurred near the coast of central Peru, more than 200 kilometers southeast of the capital of Lima.

The South American nation has been struck by several aftershocks since the magnitude-eight quake, which caused widespread damage and destruction along its central coast. Some 1,500 people were injured, and thousands left homeless and in desperate need of food and medical attention. Mobs in quake-stricken areas have looted pharmacies, markets and trucks carrying emergency supplies.

RELATED NEWSChurch says 7 LDS die in Peru quakeSeven Peruvian LDS Church members were among the more than 500 people who were killed in Wednesday's earthquake in Pisco, Peru, LDS spokesman Scott Trotter said Friday. Fourteen more members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were seriously injured and more than 70 Mormon homes were damaged or destroyed.